Cowra Voices app is finally launched! At a event with about 100 guests at the Cowra Civic Centre, Cowra Voices app is now public and available for download. Just go to cowravoices.org and tap on either the App Store or Google Play to download your app onto your phone!

28th June, 2019

The Cowra Voices project team successfully completed test driving the app this week in Cowra, and are now ‘tweaking’ and refining the app’s functionalities and content in time for the official launch on August 3, 2019.

Approximately 20 ‘test drivers’ trialled the app in Cowra, and gave us detailed feedback, even pointing out missing spaces between words in the transcript, so thank you to all who participated in the test drive for fine tooth combing the app! This feedback is invaluable, and will undoubtedly contribute to a better app.

While in Cowra, the project team briefed staff members of Cowra Visitor Information Centre on the history and aims of the Cowra Voices project. Dr Keiko Tamura, who joined the project team in Cowra to assist with the test drive, briefed Cowra Tourism on our ‘sister’ project, Cowra Japanese Cemetery Online Database.

The Cowra Voices team also paid a visit to Don Kibbler AM, whose contributions to Cowra and its relationship with Japan is invaluable and immeasurable. His stories also feature in the Cowra Voices app.

The Cowra Voices app is now ready for a test drive in Cowra! The Project team will be in Cowra next week to take the app for a spin. If you’re interested in helping us test the app, please contact us

29 May, 2019

The Cowra Voices project has received additional funding from the Japan Foundation, Sydney’s Arts and Culture grants program. The funds are specifically for the launch of Cowra Voices app, which will be in early August, coinciding with the 75th anniversary commemorations of the Cowra Breakout.

The Japan Foundation’s Arts and Culture grants program supports a range of arts and culture project such as performances, exhibitions, and festivals, to bring the work of Japanese artists, or Japanese arts and cultural content, to Australian audiences.

Sazae is a small, Sydney based company specialising in web and mobile application development, online marketing and IT consulting. Staff members are from diverse backgrounds, and Sazae works in a number of languages including English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese.

Ayumi MIzoshiri, Founder/Director of Sazae holding a ‘sazae’, a kind of shellfish. ‘Sazae san’ is also the name of a much loved Japanese comic series. Photo supplied

March 11, 2019

Nancy Shelley Bequest Fund Support for Cowra Voices

Cowra Voices has received additional funding from the Nancy Shelley Bequest Fund to help further the project’s work in the areas of Indigenous concerns and peace.

The Nancy Shelley Bequest Fund is the responsibility of the Blue Mountains Quaker Meeting (NSW), and is intended to provide financial assistance for projects or activities that support Nancy Shelley’s concerns and passions, identified as matters relating to peace, indigenous concerns, matters relating to women’s education and leadership particularly in relation to music and mathematics, and also concerns of the local Blue Mountains Meeting and Australia Yearly Meeting [also known as the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Australia].

Cowra Voices project facilitators Mayu Kanamori and Masako Fukui arrived in Cowra today to begin recording all the ‘voices’ and stories for the app.

After a meeting with project partner ABC Central West, Mayu and Masako met with former Cowra Council mayor Bruce Miller about the Saburo Nagakura Park and Cowra born and Cowra Guardian journalist Kelsey Sutor about Sakura Avenue.

The Cowra Voices team will be in Cowra until September 22nd. More information is in our blog.

Cowra Voices storytelling project has received continued funding from the Australia-Japan Foundation and additional funding from Cowra Council to create the geolocative storytelling app. The grant will enable the project to record the peace and reconciliation stories unique to Cowra, to build and test the app, due to be launched in August 2019.

In mid-September, the recordings of the stories which will comprise the app will begin in Cowra.

February 18, 2018

Cowra Voices storytelling project begins with visit to Cowra with Japanese students

Cowra Voices App Diagram, Chie Muraoka Designer

Nikkei Australia members will accompany six design students from Tokai University’s Sapporo campus on a visit Cowra between February 23rd and 25th to begin work on Cowra Voices.

The university students will homestay with Cowra locals and visit famous sites including the cemeteries, Japanese Gardens, the Peace Bell, and POW Camp Site. They will have the opportunity to meet representatives of Cowra Council and learn about Cowra’s history. They will contribute to the technical and aesthetic design of the app, which is expected to be launched at the 75th anniversary of the Cowra Breakout in August, 2019.